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From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Analysis of frame weakness and engine vibration issues in 6-cylinder vehicles, with proposed solutions and comparisons to a 6-litre Bentley.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 12\6\  06-page027
Date  16th March 1932 guessed
  
(2)

but they evidently are not good enough insulators.
Derby would never use thick and soft enough rubber or they might be much better.

(11) Bentley certainly had a bad frame in the 6 litre. It was reported to be torsionally - and I thought vertically - weak, and we thought at the time if we were satisfied with such a frame and steering we could get the same absence of vibrations from the engine - i.e. we could see rubber mounted (3 point) engine and a flexible frame, and believed, and still believe, that this was the reason for 6 litre smoothness at about the speed we are discussing - 2200 engine revs.

So we have come to the point when we cannot blame the engine or the body, and while we have 6 cyls. we must make a cure - (a) in the mounting of the engine in the frame, (b) damp if possible the elasticity of the frame, (c) isolate as much as possible the body from the frame and dash.

Mr. Hives does not state very clearly, but from memory I understand that we cannot have the diamond mounting cure because the frame will jelly unless we get some help from the engine.

We cannot detach the steering column and dash from the frame. We can however isolate the front part of the body and the scuttle from the frame and the dash. This should be done, and ought to contribute largely towards satisfaction.

We conclude that all the chassis are alike. The bodies vary, and the body mounting varies.

We have considered for several years that we are between (A) vibrations from our 6 pistons - 3 per rev., and (B) a frame which is not torsionally stiff enough because it cannot benefit from the bodies engine body. We are trying to make a good compasison compromise, and with some bodies our compromise is better than with others. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} has made a suggestion of a particular engine mounting which helps the frame but I fear it is some way off. I will try to get something out of it.

R.{Sir Henry Royce}
  
  


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